#menough
Text
I lov that j’9!! Loves oreos but i Hate that it is His personality trait. He is also a cat owner
#text#that post thats like the worst thing a character can do is say they have a favourite food#its leik alechi w the pancakes again#or yusuke w the lobsters#menough!!!!2!!
1 note
·
View note
Text
All Too Well
Pairing: Maria Menounos / Derek Hough
Rating: T
Word Count: 7230
Summary: Almost a decade has passed since they met, and with it has come boundless changes. Does love conquer all? Is timing the true test?
A/N: It has been yeaaars since I last wrote menough. So much has happened in Maria and Derek’s lives. My heart still aches over its tragic rupture. And I will never, ever get over it. I learned this while writing and reengaging myself in their gradual departure (although I’m sure they still talk casually, just not as much as before). But anyway, here’s a menough fic. Even though the fandom has disappeared, writing this was a great way to release my emotions into a story and I hope even non-shippers or non-watchers appreciate it.
For you all interested in reading even without being acquainted with menough; or for those who would like a refresher on the untouchable chemistry that was Maria Menounos and Derek Hough, I (re)introduce you to the tributes I had made years ago. I believe watching at least one or two of them before reading will make you feel more wrapped up in the story. (1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
Finally (sorry these notes are so long), I have sort of a songfic section written into this fic. I insist with my entire being that when it comes to that part that you pull up the song and listen to it with accordance to how it is written in the fic. I recommend having the fic side by side with the song. Or if you are reading on the app, pull up spotify and click play when you’re ready. Otherwise the lyrics I had included will seem like empty words which is not the way I intended them to feel like.
Francois Klark - Please Stay
Thank youuuu and enjoy!
_______________________________
“So, it’s really her, huh. The brunette beauty. The woman you met through dance.”
“Absolutely, I couldn’t be more sure of it.” Derek beamed as he and his best friend looked over at their women standing and laughing on the balcony together.
The night was almost like a peek into the rest of their lives as a foursome: the women were off chatting about their outfits for the engagement party while the men were discussing their childhoods. Derek and Mark were in their hometown in London which had brought back a lot of memories. And just three hours ago, the blond had proposed to the love of his life.
The four of them had celebrated over dinner and now the two long term best friends were sitting at the round dining table in Derek’s hotel room.
“When we were here as kids,” Derek smiled, a glow in his eyes, “I couldn’t have imagined us being so lucky. I don’t know what I did to deserve her. But I’m so glad I do.”
Just then, the infamous brunette beauty walked over to Derek while the other woman walked over to Mark. Derek grabbed the brunette’s hand and kissed it. “Your hand looks even more beautiful with the ring on it.” He raised an eyebrow to her and they both laughed.
She leaned her forehead against his and giggled against his lips.
“I love you so much, Hayley. I’ve never been happier in my entire life.”
“You mean that?”
Derek hummed with happiness against her lips. “Couldn’t mean it more.”
Mark and Derek had both decided to marry someone who shared the same lifestyle as them. Values, interests, hobbies, aspirations all matched their partners’. The two couples served to disprove the idea that opposites attract.
“Ok, ok, ok lovebirds. We need to get to sleep or we aren’t going to catch the plane in the morning.” BC Jean grabbed Mark’s hand and helped her husband up. “See you at breakfast tomorrow. 7am?” They nodded. “Awesome,” she said succinctly, grabbing her purse. “I really am stoked for your happiness, but it’s about time I got some action of my own.”
“Oh really?” Mark cocked an eyebrow, reaching to wrap his arms around her.
“Fuck no,” she responded bluntly, slapping his arm away. “I’m exhausted. It’s an hour past my bedtime.”
Mark rolled his eyes and laughed. They had definitely been married for too long; the honeymoon phase had far ended. He took his wife’s hand and led them to the door. They said goodbye to the newly engaged couple and walked back to their suite across the hall.
_______________________________
“You could have said no like all the other times.”
“It isn’t that easy.”
“And that’s what makes this thing between us so hard.”
Going into the closet, her fingers traced the outline of an intricately detailed wedding dress hanging for all to see. It was on a mannequin that stood at the far wall of her closet. Surrounding it hung picture frames of the brunette modeling the dress at her wedding. A magical night indeed.
The night when her parents’ dream had come true.
Known for throwing some of the best parties in Hollywood, Maria knew her wedding, though intimate, needed to be the wedding of the decade. It definitely had not come short of extraordinary. The event, by requirement, took place in Greece and centered around not only her heritage but most importantly her family. Her parents, after all, had been the ones who had especially pushed her to get married.
At the back of her mind, Maria always wondered the importance of marriage. She acknowledged some people did it for things such as insurance or tax deductions, but she knew the financial aspect of life was no issue for her. She had questioned, decades into a relationship, how important it was to have the government check mark yet another married couple. After all, what about common law marriage? Yet, her Greek heritage and her parents whom she loved more than anything else in the world thought otherwise. And for her parents, she would do anything. Besides, why not throw the biggest party of your life and look flawless doing it? As an added bonus, Maria had understood how nice it would be for the tabloids to lay off the constant pestering once the question was settled once and for all.
Yes, annoying magazine, after 19 years, we finally tied the knot. I told you I loved him.
That magical day, Maria had been dressed head to toe in nothing but glam. Her hair was in an updo and she had been decorated with an off the shoulder silk dress with hand-painted flowers and a veil made from silk tulle. It held a slight difference to the dress she had worn for the first ceremony that had taken place on New Year's Eve. That dress, slightly girlier, had been a Pronovias' lace "Randala" wedding dress. It had a mermaid silhouette and lace long sleeves. Each dress was now worn on separate mannequins, located beside each other.
Throughout her wedding night, attention was drawn on her, as family and friends joined her to celebrate her special day. And yet, every now and then, she had stolen glances at the venue door, waiting, wondering if the two people she was most anxious to see would eventually arrive. She remembered feeling bad because she’d be mid-conversation, mid chaste kiss with her new husband, the other end of the interaction asking if she was okay as her eyes remained searching the door for any glimmer of hope. She would respond, yes, of course, “I’m married to a man who loves me,” but the people she really wanted by her side never came. And neither did the truth in her response.
Maria knew despite all odds, she would say her vows to Keven. She knew she would live the rest of her life in the dream mansion with her dogs, her parents, and her business partner. After everything her parents had gone through, she knew stability was key. She knew she was living and helping her parents live the life they had always dreamed for her. She knew she needed Keven by her side to continue to let that happen.
Similarly, she knew the amount of joy Derek brought to her life. A kind of joy she once didn’t think existed. She knew the way a simple touch of his hand would send goosebumps rising all over her body. She knew of the taste of both his gentle and passionate kisses and how breathless both would make her feel. She knew how instant their chemistry was the second they met, how open and welcoming each of their families were of the other person, and how unbelievable it was the two of them could somehow cycle through all the vital aspects of a relationship. She knew she could be goofy and literally roll on the floor laughing with Derek; she knew how fast a simple peck on the forehead could lead to them goofily wrestling and within minutes begin fighting off the urge to tear the other’s clothes off; she knew how after a stressful night, the one person that could make her smile and put her back together with an arm around the waist and soft words of reassurance in her ear was Derek.
She also knew she shouldn’t have strung him along for years. She knew she shouldn’t have let him find out through a live interview that she had accepted another man’s proposal; however, she knew that if she had told him, she wouldn’t have been able to handle the broken heart on both ends of the… friendship.
She had broken his heart and consequently betrayed one of her best friends, his sister.
Of course the two of them didn’t go to her wedding.
Although she had tried to convince herself there could be a slight chance they may want to go, it was just a fool’s wish.
That, she knew too.
Maria smiled sadly, a breath falling out as she rummaged further into her closet. She swiped her fingers across the different sections of her capacious closet, passing through casuals, evening wear, business casual, gala wear, and then finally event costumes. She felt a lump form in her throat and she subconsciously gulped. She unzipped the black clothing protectors that had been shielding both dresses. Maria had saved two important costumes from her Dancing with the Stars days: her rumba dress and her paso outfit. The latter had been salvaged as their paso was the season’s first 30 and the dance and its theatrics had been one of her favorites. Her rumba dress, however, held a different meaning to her.
The first time we kissed.
Unlike what America and even their castmates had believed, however, that first kiss wasn’t during the live performance. No, it was actually an accident during their dress rehearsal. Derek had intended to quickly mock a kiss on her forehead, but when pulling himself down, his lips had, like a magnet, locked onto hers. When that happened, Maria, for the first time in fourteen years, felt her heart skip a beat. She felt her stomach tie in knots and her body flush red. And she knew he felt it too.
It was a mental thing. Since the moment they met, they knew what each other thought or felt and somehow managed to understand what the other needed in times of extreme stress. Maria had never felt so naturally connected with someone before. Most of the time they had been laughing or goofing off but when things got serious, the other person always knew exactly what to do to help the other person cool off. Simultaneously, they knew just the right thing to say to make the other person blush or cause a shiver to fall down their spine.
And as Maria had exited the dress rehearsal that morning and felt a hand find its way into hers to pull her in, she knew Derek was going to do it yet again.
They were in a dark corner backstage, away from cameras and other cast members. Derek’s back was against the wall and there was sweat across his forehead from the routine.
“Hey, I’m sorry about what happened back there, I must have gotten distracted and slipped up.”
Though she had been listening, Maria realized she had been staring at his lips and forced herself to shift her gaze to his eyes. She simply chuckled in response.
Derek smiled at her laugh. “What’s so funny?
For a moment, Maria didn’t say anything as she looked back down at his lips. Her arms wrapped around his neck, she pressed her body against his. “You’re cute when you do that.”
“Do what?” Derek questioned again, relishing in the feeling that Maria’s touch brought him.
“Excuse what happened by saying that you ‘slipped up.’”
Derek looked like he wanted to refute her response but couldn’t find a justifiable answer.
“You were caught up in the moment.” Maria said matter-of-factly as she began stroking circles on the back of his neck; a few seconds later, she felt as Derek gulped down nerves. She smiled brighter, noticing the effect she was having on him. Maria then moved her hand to run her thumb against the corner of his lip, rubbing off remnants of her lipstick. “It’s okay,” she responded when Derek had remained silent. By this point both of their faces had faded red. “I was too.”
Derek smiled slightly, his eyes subconsciously falling down to her lips and then back into her eyes. “Let’s, uh, let's just do it how we rehearsed, alright?”
Maria noticed the shakiness in his voice and she smiled. Derek sensed a sort of mischief behind it but blamed the suspicion on the sudden acceleration of his heartbeat.
Maria had done the dance just as they had rehearsed – dress rehearsal version. An act which had led America to wonder for the rest of the season if they’d ever be together. During the live dance, she had intensified her movements, nudging Derek even more to “unintentionally” kiss Maria during the reenactment. Why not? She had simply followed the directions of her dance instructor.
_______________________________
Julianne was sitting on the balcony alone, sipping red wine from her glass every now and then. After saying her hellos to the other party guests and watching the surprise first dance between the newly engaged couple, she had escaped to the balcony. A lot had been running through her mind since she had received the news. Recently, she had been having marital issues with her husband. Though she knew she’d always love him, recently she had been questioning the meaning of love. She used to be a hopeless romantic and had once believed in soulmates but for the past few months she had been reexamining the significance behind marriage. Maybe, just maybe, it was just a social construct forcing two people to commit to each other.
Suddenly, Julianne heard a knock on the sliding door, bringing her out of her thoughts.
“Hey hun,” she heard a voice. Instantly, she realized it was her soon-to-be sister in law.
“Hey Hayley,” Julianne smiled softly at the younger woman.
“What are you doing out here alone?”
A question Julianne had been hearing a lot lately.
“I just wanted to get away from the noise for a moment.”
A half-lie.
While Julianne always found herself searching for solitude, especially in recent times, the party had reminded her of back when she and Brooks were at their own engagement party, the time in which they were their happiest. The constant reminder and endless display of love had caused her to need a break from the restlessness.
“Brooks couldn’t make it, huh?” Hayley asked as she sat down in front of Julianne.
“Yeah, he’s out of town for the weekend.”
A full lie.
Truth was, Julianne hadn’t even invited him. They had remained in touch and contacted each other on a daily basis, but they’d been living separately for the past few months. It was only for the time-being so they could work on their relationship. Of course, she had updated him on the engagement news, but she hadn’t even thought of asking him if he’d like to go to the party with her. She already knew the answer.
Hayley adjusted herself in her seat as she looked down at her glass, nervously swirling her champagne around. She had examined Julianne for a moment, knowing something was off. But she didn’t know what it was.
“Are you okay?” Hayley asked, concern clear in her voice.
Surprised by the sudden question, Julianne finally gave Hayley her full attention.
“I mean, I know things have been hard on you recently. You know you can tell me anything or vent to me. Or, you can let me in on something embarrassing from Derek’s childhood,” Hayley joked with a small smile. They both recognized she was trying to ease the tension in the room.
Hayley’s last sentence caused a genuine smile to rise on Julianne’s face. “I’m sure I’ve told you the best stories already, but it’s nice that I now have the rest of our lives to tell you everything.” They shared a laugh. After a moment, Julianne finally admitted, “It’s been tough recently, but Brooks and I… we’re working through things. At the end of the day, we know we love each other. Sometimes that’s all that really matters, yknow?” Julianne smiled softly at her words, meaning them wholeheartedly.
Julianne wanted to add in how much she missed her dogs – the true loves of her life – but everyone already knew that. Plus, mentioning or even thinking about her loss shattered her to pieces. Losing them truly broke her world more than she could have ever imagined. She wished she had her old best friend with her to mourn with her; the one person who loved dogs just as much as she, if not more. Her former friend constantly crossed her mind, especially recently, and Julianne wondered if the woman missed her as much as she did.
Hayley reached over and patted Julianne’s hand. “Y’know what, Jules?” She looked up from their hands and back at the blonde. “I’m fortunate to soon be able to really call you my sister.”
Julianne grinned at that. “Ditto,” she winked back.
They sat in silence for a moment – a happier, more peaceful silence. Julianne sipped on her glass of red wine as they stared off into the night sky. It was 10pm and the only light that hit the sky was from the glow of the stars.
Eventually, Hayley looked over at Julianne again. She hesitated, Julianne noticed, before she admitted, “You know… I used to think you weren’t a huge fan of me.”
Julianne laughed softly, seemingly forced. She was caught off guard by the accusation and turned her full body back to the brunette. “What do you mean?”
“I don’t know… You just, you used to seem so distant.”
Julianne winced at her words. She squinted, at a loss for her own. She scrambled her mind for a response to propitiate her but couldn’t find one.
“When we were on tour, everything seemed fine. We were all friends. But then the second the news hit that we were dating and we told everyone… something about you, about our friendship, it just sort of changed.”
Julianne closed her eyes for a second before looking back at the sky. She took her glass in hand and downed a big shot of it. She immediately missed the sense of peace they had shared just minutes earlier.
“I’m just overprotective.”
Hayley shot her a look.
Wrong, try again.
“I just didn’t want to see him hurt again.”
Not quite, try again.
Julianne looked over at Hayley and let out a deep breath. Her eyes found those of the newly engaged woman and she found solace. “Truth is,” Julianne paused, mulling her words over for a moment, “Derek has entered certain relationships and there have been times I think, ‘oh wow, this woman really is the one.’ I befriend her, we get along, she fits in the family, and then Derek gets left in the dust. It’s hard, seeing him get his hopes all tied up in a knot only to be left for someone else.”
Hayley gave her a look of complete empathy, not only for Julianne but for her fiancé. She didn’t mind hearing about Derek’s past. She was just happy to know she was finally receiving the truth.
Julianne eyed Hayley for assurance that she could continue. “And when that bond is broken and they don’t speak at all anymore, it’s a bit selfish on my part I guess, but I for one am not only losing the ability to see my brother happy but I lose a best friend too.” Julianne returned Hayley’s earlier gesture and patted her hand in return. “I do give him credit, though. Each new girl he became serious with was always better than the last. Of course, that only made me more curious about the new girl and whether she would meet the level that his prior relationship had.” Julianne smiled reassuringly at Hayley. “I didn’t want to see your friendship with him break, and I didn’t want to lose a friend. But after a year or two and seeing you guys in love and engaged, I truly am happy for you guys. You’re everything he ever needed.”
Hayley grinned at Julianne as a thank you for her honesty. She found relief from her words; the happiness she felt from what she had just said was radiating off of her. She then looked past the sliding door, the two of them suddenly remembering the rest of the party. An even brighter smile came onto Hayley’s face just then. Julianne felt a small one rise on hers as she watched her friend meet the eyes of her brother; the brunette winked and her fiancé smiled. Somehow, Julianne thought, even years later, there was still a slight tint of red that had fallen on her tan cheeks.
_______________________________
Once the engagement party was over, Hayley and Derek began getting ready for bed. It had been nice to see their closest family and friends gathered together to celebrate them and they were excited knowing it was only a preview for their wedding. They planned to have the ceremony within a few years, but they were in no rush to jump into things. Both valued the excitement of each day and acknowledged that the small moments mattered just as the big.
Still, Hayley was eager to start planning and had actually begun the night Derek had proposed. A romantic at heart, she wanted to have the fairytale wedding she had dreamed of since she was a little girl.
“Hey Derek,” Hayley started, looking through their desk. “Have you seen my journal?”
Derek was in their master bathroom, shaving. Shaving cream covered the lower part of his face as he turned to look at Hayley. “Can’t find it?”
She looked at him and shook his head before continuing to search.
“Uh, hey Der,” Hayley began again, but a bit more hesitantly. Her fingers slid down a 24” silver pendant. “What‘s this key for?” she asked, referring to the diamond encrusted key dangling from the chain.
Derek stopped in his tracks when he saw what she was talking about. He became silent. Hayley had access to just about everything Derek owned, so it was out of the ordinary for Hayley to find something she didn’t know about. “It’s just an old thing, it doesn’t really have a use anymore,” he shrugged off.
Hayley studied Derek knowing something was off about him. She thought she knew him better than anyone else did which also meant she knew he wouldn’t be giving her any answers right at that moment. She would simply have to ask him later. She then went back to examining the necklace, knowing it didn’t belong to Derek. “Well, it’s beautiful,” she murmured under her breath.
_______________________________
After her talk with Hayley, Julianne realized she needed to do more than just think things through. And she knew just where to start.
A few days after the party, Julianne was sitting in her bedroom, alone as usual, no dogs, no husband. She was staring at her wall, trying to build the courage to go through with her plan. After a moment, she grabbed her phone and searched through her contact list. She hesitated, but with the help of two glasses of wine, she had been able to finally call Maria.
A week later, Julianne and Maria met up. It was 9pm and after having dinner, they decided to take a walk. For dinner, they chose to grab burgers and beer: Maria’s favorite. When Julianne brought up the idea, Maria had initially turned it down, insisting that Julianne pick as she knew she was the one who had the making up to do. Julianne still persisted, and Maria decided to even the deal by volunteering to pay for both of their meals.
It was dark outside and they were being guided by the streetlights. They had been walking for ten minutes, talking about anything and everything. They loved being able to finally catch up on each other’s lives.
Eventually there was a short silence and Julianne looked over at her friend. Spending quality time with the journalist for the first time in years gave her a sense of comfort she hadn’t felt in weeks.
“Maria?” Julianne murmured softly.
“Mhm?”
“Thank you for agreeing to spend time with me.”
Maria smiled. “No, thank you for inviting me.” Maria teasingly nudged Julianne’s shoulder with her own. “It’s been nice to get out of the house. I really missed you.”
Julianne grinned in response. “I missed you too.” Part of her wanted to admit that she wished she had reached out to her sooner, but she decided otherwise.
All night they had managed to avoid talking about the falling-out between Maria and Derek. Maria was surprised Julianne hadn’t brought it up; thinking that was why she had invited her, she had even gone through a few lines in her head to prepare for the conversation. She had been on edge all night, expecting one of them to bring up the subject—but nothing.
While they continued walking, Maria's eyes eventually landed on Julianne’s finger. Since the moment she saw her that night, Maria had sensed something may have happened, but the sight of a missing ring confirmed it. “I can tell you don’t want to talk about it,” Julianne looked at her, first confused and then stunned, “but I’m always here if you ever need me.
Maria could always tell what was on Julianne’s mind. She understood what to say and when without pushing it too far too early. Julianne realized that even with Maria and Derek not being on the best terms, Maria was still going to be there for her, always. Their friendship wasn’t and had never been conditional on Maria and Derek’s relationship. She then affirmed that maybe it was possible Maria could continue to be the honorary Hough.
Maria grabbed Julianne’s hand in comfort. “Also, my babies do miss you. The pups could use some Aunt Jules time.”
Julianne couldn’t help but smile. “Well, they are cute,” she giggled with Maria.
When Maria began looking around her again, a sudden sense of familiarity hit her.
“Jules… isn’t this—”
She was so distracted taking in her surroundings, she hadn’t noticed that Julianne had left her side and was now in front of her, against what looked like a hidden wall.
Julianne smiled. “Derek’s old apartment?” She pointed to her right, and nodded. Before Derek and Hayley became serious and moved in together, Derek had lived in the apartment and it hadn’t taken long for Maria to learn the code to it. They used to sneak inside for extended alone time, during and after their season ended. “But this, this is something separate.”
She pushed past branches just then and opened what had actually been a door.
Maria raised her eyebrows, surprised by the reveal. Julianne motioned her to go inside and she complied.
“Wow,” Maria said under her breath. The moment she entered the room, a chill crawled down her spine. Whoever said that weddings were the most beautiful settings were terribly mistaken.
This place was by far the most magical thing she had seen in her entire life.
This felt like home.
Maria had only taken a few steps in before becoming frozen in place. She was absolutely mesmerized. Maria’s eyes wandered the expansive space and quickly she could feel tears welling up in her eyes. The room was currently dark with string lights providing the only true light source. On the left and right walls lined all of her Dancing with the Stars costumes. There were speakers in the left and right corners of the wall closest to the corner door. In between, at the back wall, blue and pink, separated by purple, paint splatters were found. The mirror wall was on the far wall; above the mirror was a large neon light spelling the words “menough said.” In the left corner between the mirror and the barre were mannequins with the shirts Maria and Derek had designed that had the same phrase written on them. There was slight dust in the room, she had noticed. But it definitely didn’t distract from the captivating space.
Last but not least, behind the costumes hung framed pictures. Maria could feel a lump build in her throat as she realized that her wedding photos she had framed in her closet had never elicited this much emotion from her. There was a range of pictures of her and Derek goofing off in rehearsal, dancing on stage, from their trip to Las Vegas, and even from them just goofing off post-season at one of their houses.
“Julianne, you did all of this?” Maria’s voice cracked. She had walked to the right wall and was eyeing the picture of her and Derek eating burgers in New York. Pain struck through her heart from the simple memory of how perfect things had been during that trip. When they were able to be in their own little world, even for just a little bit.
“Still giving the other Hough all the credit, are you?”
Maria’s eyes widened. She froze again, her eyes glued to the frame. Part of her was terrified, anxious, to turn around, while the other part of her felt as if her heart had just jumped out of her chest and she was physically incapable of moving.
The voice was deeper. The scent, familiar.
She felt hands push her hair to her left shoulder before tying around her neck what felt like a necklace. The touch had caused her heart to skip a beat and chills to rise up her arms. The soul-stirring sensation couldn’t be mistaken.
“Derek…” she murmured more to herself than to the voice.
Maria closed her eyes for a moment and tried to catch her breath before turning around.
“Do you like your new dance studio?” Derek asked once his eyes met hers. He caught himself smiling at Maria; just like all those times before, it was helpless. Simply seeing her lifted his spirits.
Maria, still speechless, turned to look from Derek to his sister.
The night of the engagement party, Julianne had stayed the night in the guest room. As she went to grab a glass of water, she heard Derek and Hayley discussing the key and she had pulled Derek aside to talk about it. He had mentioned the idea to Julianne years ago but she hadn’t known he would go through with it.
Julianne realized this was the last time she could play matchmaker.
Julianne looked at Maria; she grinned and shrugged in response. “Coffee date, Monday, 8am. Don’t forget.” She winked at her friend, pressed play on the remote, and closed the door behind her.
Derek chuckled, looking down shyly before looking back at the beauty in front of him.
“I got this studio for you a few months after our season ended. I was thrilled that you were so passionate about dance and I wanted to think I was a part of that.”
Maria gazed deeply into his blue eyes, her own eyes glowing. She nodded slightly at his last words before he continued.
“I realized you could just add a studio to your house, but I thought it’d be nice for us to continue dancing together here, just for our own enjoyment.” He paused. “I mean, it’s been years and I know things didn’t quite go like how I had hoped and now we don’t really have a reason for privacy and you have your own personal instructor and…” He stopped, noticing he was rambling and upsetting himself with his own words.
Maria took a step forward. “Derek, this is—” Maria began, but her voice got interrupted by the music. She instantly recognized Julianne had chosen the song, Please Stay, by Francois Klark.
These four walls became a home
Since the day you walked in
She was ready to express how much the gift had meant to her. How it was genuinely the most beautiful thing she had ever seen — far surpassing any party she could ever throw, including her own wedding. How she could see how much time and thought he put into each little detail, details that not only meant everything to her, but for him as well.
But as they saw a matching twinkle in the other’s eyes, they knew that conversation could be saved for later.
My heart ceased to be alone
“Would you like to dance?” Derek asked, reaching out his hand.
Since the moment that you took my hand and
Maria could feel her heartbeat quicken, a flash of red hitting her cheeks. Her eyes were still wet with tears and she sniffed.
She took hold of his hand.
“Always.”
pulled me closer
Derek pulled Maria in close to him, his arms naturally falling around her waist, her arms around his neck.
He pressed his lips against her forehead, causing Maria to blush redder.
Kissed me unexpectedly
And told me it’s ‘cause you want me to know what I'd be missing
If I didn't call you back
They held each other and swayed to the music, cherishing the moment between them.
I picked up the phone,
How could I have known that one day I would be the one to say
Please stay, don’t go
Please stay, don’t go
Please stay, don’t go
I can't live inside these walls if it ain't you that I came home to
“This is nice,” Maria said softly.
“The studio?”
“Yes, but also…” Maria pulled back slightly so her eyes could meet his. “Just being here with you. I never thought I could miss someone as much as I missed you.”
“We still talk sometimes,” Derek replied, though perplexed by his own words.
Maria raised her eyebrows at him in disbelief and they both smirked. They both understood he was alluding to the very few social media interactions and how minimal meaning they held. Especially recently.
Maria lay her head on Derek’s shoulder. In his ear, she murmured, “You were my best friend, Derek.”
I don't think we will survive
“I know,” Derek whispered, reversing his earlier statement.
on just hello every now and then on a small screen
“I really missed my Greek Goddess.”
Hearing Derek call her by the nickname he had once coined caused Maria to smile softly.
I say goodnight when by you the morning rise
and another day will pass by
Derek dipped Maria and as she came back up, he found himself pressing his forehead against hers. “You always did bring a different light to my life.”
That I can't kiss you quietly
Like I used to when you came to bed,
Laid your head upon my chest
Instead I lie here on my own
Trying to forget that you already left
as my words echo in this empty bed
Please stay, don’t go
For the last few beats of the song, Derek decided to lead Maria through different moves from their Viennese Waltz. He was pleasantly surprised that she had remembered a lot of it. As they listened to the remainder of the song, they could feel their heartbeats rising with awe of its relevance.
I can't fall asleep without the shape of you that I fit into
Julianne knew just how to get to them.
I wish I met you at a different time
When neither one of us would have to go
Is it wrong of me to hope that someday we might meet again
And that our stars would realign
As the song came to a close, they remained in a tight embrace. Neither of them wanted the moment to end. Eventually, Derek kissed her cheek before pulling away and smiling softly at her. It was his turn to turn a bit red. He bit his lip; Maria looked as gorgeous as ever.
“Mar…” Derek breathed, looking down before looking back at Maria.
Please stay, don’t go.
Maria looked back at him expectantly.
Please stay, don’t go.
He wanted to tell her how beautiful she looked and the eruption of feelings that had returned to him; but instead he shook his head at the thought. “I’m really glad you like the studio and that I could be your first dance.”
Please stay, don’t go.
Maria let out a nervous giggle; the same one that Derek had fallen in love with all those years back. “Somehow you were a lot of my firsts,” she joked back, which caused him to turn redder. She smiled at that.
I can’t fall asleep without the shape of you that I fit into
Derek looked at her peacefully until his brain and the end of the song brought him back to reality. “I do have to go though,” he declared regretfully. “But let me know if you ever want a dance lesson or someone to grab a bite to eat with. I’m—” Derek stopped himself from casually saying the words “I’m your guy,” and instead revised it to, “I’m always a call away.”
Maria smiled and nodded, though sad their time had to be cut so quickly. She murmured a thank you and Derek turned and made his way for the door.
Maria watched as her former dance instructor walked one foot after the other to the door. Her fingers reached to the key dangling on her necklace. It took a moment but she worked up the courage to speak.
“And Derek?”
Derek stopped walking, a foot away from the door.
“I’ll be sure to be there.”
There was a short silence before Derek finally turned to look at Maria. He wore a look of absolute puzzlement.
“At your wedding. You know, if you decide to invite me.” Maria forced a small smile. Derek hadn’t told her he had gotten engaged. No one had. She just knew. Maria did know him better than anyone. No one would change that, at least. Not even his fiancée.
“That’s why you’re here, right?” she continued as she took a step forward and looked at the professional dancer. “You wanted to do the one last thing so you could move on.” Maria traced the edges of the key. She walked over to Derek. She looked into his eyes, hesitating before pressing her lips against his cheek. “Thank you. Not only for the dance studio. But for everything.”
Derek looked down and found his hand gravitating to hers. He couldn’t stop it even if he wanted to. There was a small silence where their eyes locked and they got lost in each other. It reminded them of when they were in the Dancing with the Stars studio, when everything was simpler yet not so simple; when they’d take a break from rehearsal, their hands interlaced together, when just gazing into each other’s eyes and grinning cheek to cheek had said more than words ever could.
“I… I have to go, she’s waiting in the car.” Derek shook his head at his inability to say Hayley’s name. He was too choked up.
Maria smiled. “I know.” She knew Derek wouldn’t have just snuck around with her. Of course he’d tell his true love everything. She rubbed her thumb against his. “I really am happy for you, Derek. You deserve someone who can love you with their entire being. Someone who would never leave you or have you guessing their next move or force you to lie to the universe about your love for her.” Maria released her hand from his. “You know… like I had you do.”
Derek closed the distance between them again. He felt tears well up in his eyes, a feat hard to accomplish. His lips curled into a small but sad smile as he pressed his lips to her forehead.
Without realizing it, Maria felt her hands clasp back behind Derek’s neck as she wrapped her arms around him, the same feeling of home returning to them both. She let out a breath she didn’t know she was holding, as Derek kept his forehead pressed against hers, his hands finding the small of her back.
Maria and Derek felt like they were taken back to 2012. They could feel their hearts beating in synchronization. Their hearts were throbbing, aching for more. Maria bit her lip as she found her eyes looking down at his lips.
Just like all those times before, Maria could feel the two of them moving, inch by inch, their stomachs twisting in knots as they felt their lips gravitating to each other.
Whatever it was, it felt right, Derek had once said about their rumba kiss.
Maria sighed against his lips and Derek felt his lips go dry.
Flashbacks of their rumba, salsa, rehearsals, argentine tango, trips to Vegas and NYC, and several moments outside of the show flashed through both of their minds. The oh-very-familiar tension between them was very present and they could feel their bodies preparing themselves for what was coming next.
However. Something happened that had never happened before.
Derek brushed his lips against Maria’s before decidedly forcing himself away. He kept his arms around Maria’s waist, not wanting to let go; Maria kept her head on his shoulder, trying to hold back the tears that threatened to escape. A few minutes passed between them as they took in what had just transpired.
Not once since they met had he turned Maria down.
Derek shut his eyes, trying to sort through the thoughts jumbling through his mind. He wanted to kiss her. After all these years, he still wanted to kiss her. Even when he was truly, deeply, happily, in love with his fiancée, he wanted nothing more than to kiss her.
But he couldn’t.
After a moment, Derek could feel Maria’s body shake slightly, followed by a small whimper. And then a sniff.
Derek raked his fingers through Maria’s hair in comfort. He rubbed circles across the small of her back as he whispered in her ear, “I love you, Maria. I always will.”
Maria stayed silent for a moment and Derek could swear he felt a tear drop onto his back.
He continued running his hand through her hair as he laid a gentle kiss on her shoulder.
“I’m always going to be in love with you, Derek Hough.”
It was at that moment that Maria realized for the first time why she had allowed herself to fall for Derek. She wasn’t in love with Keven. She had never been in love with Keven. She never wanted to be around or let her walls down or be as intimate with someone as much as she wanted to with Derek. All those years, Maria had been physically attached to Keven but her heart had always been elsewhere. The feelings and connection she had with Derek were irreplaceable, untouchable, unimaginable, unseeable with anyone else.
But Derek? Maria knew the one thing in the entire universe that stopped Derek from kissing her was the woman whom he had given the engagement ring to. He was truly and completely in love with Hayley Erbert. And once Derek hugged Maria long enough for her to stop weeping, he slowly let go of her, inch by inch: first the forehead, then the arm around the waist, and finally the hand she had long lost privilege to.
Please stay, don't go.
The lyric echoed, achingly, in her ear as if Julianne had pressed play again.
Maria watched it all fade away. The foreseeable future she had once dreamed of was now nothing but an unachievable dream. She didn’t know it until just then, but once Derek left and she was all alone in her own personal studio, she realized that she may have fulfilled the dreams her parents had long aspired for her, but her own personal dream, the one she valued the most, was now lost forever.
I can't live inside these walls if it ain't you that I came home to.
And she knew. She knew the only thing at fault was herself.
#maria menounos#derek hough#menough#menough said#dancing with the stars#dwts#fanfic#fanfiction#mine: fanfiction#mine#julianne hough#it literally hurt my heart writing this#i had to take multiple breaks just to recollect myself#i feel like i'm the only one whose heart will be broken reading this but stillll#also this is far longer than i had imagined i really had no idea where it was going to go at first#tbh it's sort of a combination of multiple random thoughts and ideas that ended up going well together i think
1 note
·
View note
Text
“After that day, she never saw him again.”
A writing prompt drabble.
Rated: PG
Please don’t post on external sites!
“Hey,” Maria said as she answered the door. “Come in.”
Derek walked in and sat on the couch.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were coming by today? He could’ve been here,” she said.
Derek looked confused. “Why would he be here? I thought you were going to break it off with him?”
“It’s not that easy, Derek--”
“You always say that, Mar, but it should be so easy-- he treats you like shit and gets away with it, and for what? What does he have over you, Maria?”
Maria couldn't look him in the face.
“I can’t do this anymore, Mar. I just can’t. I love you and I want to be with you, but how can I?”
She sat there, not knowing what to say.
“I can’t. And I won’t.”
He got up and walked over to her. He put his hands on her shoulders before lifting her chin to look at him. He kissed her their last kiss, gently.
“I’ll always love you, Maria. Never forget that.”
He walked away as she still stood speechless with a tear running down her cheek.
After that day, she never saw him again.
2 notes
·
View notes
Text
Akron’s Lizard Lady
All right, the Weird Ohio team is not afraid to go anyplace, so here we go-back to 1910 and the case of a young woman who died a premature death. And the cause of her passing away was those darned live lizards in her stomach! Unbelievable? Apparently, it is so incredible that officials were changed after the fact because the story, well, too hard to stomach.
Poor Akron native Lovie Herman had stuffed very much in her short life. There were the stomach pains, the hemorrhages, and the occasional blackouts. She often had problems breathing. As she grew up, her skin became splotchy and her lips turned purple. By the time she was twenty, she weighed less than ninety pounds but stood five feet six and had a hearty appetite. Throughout the years, doctors had told her she had a respiratory problem, heard disease, tuberculosis, or typhoid fever. But they really didn’t know. That is, until she died.
Soon after midnight on December 9, 1910, Lovie Herman passed away. As Akron reporter Mark J. Price wrote, the reported cause of death “was the stuff of nightmares.”
Dr. Alex J. McIntosh, Herman’s attending physician, found and then fully certified that his patient had died “due to stomach trouble caused by lizards in the stomach poisoning the entire system.”
Yes, Lizards.
“Two Lizards In Stomach Cause Death,” the Akron Beacon Journal shouted.
“There is absolutely no question about the lizards being found in the girl’s stomach, for I have the two largest ones preserved in a bottle in my office,” Dr. McIntosh noted. He also reported finding a batch of eggs in a tiny ball.
“Live Lizards For 13 Years in Girl’s Stomach, Slowly Poison To Death,” the Akron Press exclaimed.
A few days before Herman’s death, Dr. McIntosh said, he gave the woman a strong dose of medicine under the assumption that she was suffering a tapeworm. That’s when, he said, she could feel the green lizards “crawl up her throat.” Herman’s parents told the doctor that Lovie had taken a swim in a “cool, refreshing spring” near Millersburg a dozen years earlier, and it must have been there that the girl accidentally swallowed tiny lizards or possibly their eggs.
“They are each three and a half inches in length,” he said. “One lizard is as well formed as any I have seen. I also extracted several smaller lizards from Miss. Herman’s stomach, but I have kept only the two largest ones. The head, mouth, and tail on both are to be plainly seen.”
Reporter Price wrote: Lova J. Herman, known as ‘Lovie’ to her family, had been sick since she was a child. She was treated at a Chicago sanitarium for suspected tuberculosis, but she wasn’t cursed. She then moved to Cleveland with her mother, Ellen, to be treated at Lakeside Hospital for suspected heart troubles. McIntosh, a Cleveland physician, deduced that Herman was suffering from a parasite because of her abnormal appetite. After making the shocking discovery of the lizards, he said, he withheld food from his patient for a few days in an attempt to starve any remaining reptiles.”
Then Dr. McIntosh gave her another dose of medicine: “Miss Herman was thought to be improving, but at midnight Thursday she died in her mother’s arms just after remarking that she though she was going to recover,” the Akron Press of 1910 wrote.
But the medical establishment was in an uproar. This could not be. Seventeen doctors attended a postmortem exam at the funeral, including McIntosh, Summit County coroner Harry S. Davidson, Dr. Clinton J. Hays of Akron, Dr. Edgar S. Menough of Cleveland, and Dr. Williams S. Chase of Akron.
Dr. McIntosh felt he was right and told the media at the time: “The postmortem proved the previous diagnosis correct. . . . The lizards had eaten almost through the walls of the stomach, and a few small ones as thick as a broom straw remained.” Herman’s parents supported the doctor.
The other doctors had not see it that way. They said they “found nothing in the stomach” and instead talked about a possible heart condition. The Summit County coroner abruptly said: “Dr. McIntosh at the postmortem failed to enlighten sixteen other physicians present, except when we questioned him closely. . . . The only thing I could see was that the stomach was inflamed and congested. That could be caused by the action of the heart.”
Cleveland health officer Clyde E. Ford denied the death certificate that Dr. McIntosh had written, saying that the explanation of lizards was “too absurd to discuss. It is imply impossible.”
Beacon Journal reporter Mark J. Price summed up what happened next: “Confronted with allegations that his claims were false, McIntosh held a closed-door meeting at Ford’s Cleveland office on Dec. 13, 1910, and completely retreated his lizard story. Lovie Herman’s 1910 death certificate can be found on file at the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus. The cause of death has been scribbled out.”
0 notes
Text
Grand Island, EPA encouraging people to flush only toilet paper down the drain
At the city's wastewater treatment facility, Menough said they depend on bacteria to clean up the waste every hour of the day, all year long. “It is bacteria ...
from Google Alert - sewage system https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://www.theindependent.com/news/local/grand-island-epa-encouraging-people-to-flush-only-toilet-paper-down-the-drain/article_87038ee6-73b4-11ea-99b0-3fc7d9fa1ff7.html&ct=ga&cd=CAIyGjBmYTExMmY5ODc5OTYxMmI6Y29tOmVuOlVT&usg=AFQjCNE4Vkgl5AlhejPyP7wWNx3y5vSWUw
0 notes
Text
My dairy
31/10/2017 Dear Diary Today I went home early from school because of my BFF ( who I won't name for reasons ). Me and an ex BFF are in an argument (wich tumblr will hear about later) and my BFF who believes me 200% (her believing me is a big part of the argument ) really likes my ex BFF and she still wants to be friends with her but today if my BFF wanted to be my ex BFF's friend she was not allowed any were near me. MY FRIEND THROW ME UNDER THE BUS FOR A LAIR. She didn't talk to me except math and history. When she told me that she wasn't allowed near menough my reactions was basically GFY, so I just walk away from her didn't speak to her at all, but my ex BFF decided to give me the look of I'm winning this fight loser. Let me explain to you how bitchy that is , she thought that she could beat me just by taking one of the people that I go to talk to when I'm feeling down. Instead of being an ass I justhink walk over to the teacher and say I'm sick angry I need to go home. So I go home sleep for hours and just know that my ex BFF is spreading a rumour about me all I want to do is die at this point I say to myself she has won I'm done and then it comes to me that she is being a buily which she is calling me she thinks she is winnino but when I see her tomorrow I'm not even going to talk to ether of them even though I sit next to my BFF (if I can even call her/him that any more)Anyways I gtg see you tomorrow bye!!!!!!!!!
0 notes
Text
The One with the Engagement
A/N: This is the second co-write between my best friends, @yaywinning, @sadbeautifultragic-loveaffair & I! Hope you enjoy!
He couldn’t believe it. He should have seen it coming but he didn’t.
She’s engaged.
That’s all he heard. He was taken aback. And on live TV.
“What? I didn’t know that,” he said nervously, trying to keep his composure. “That’s great. I will have to call her right after this.”
The rest of the interview was a blur. When the camera was off, he still looked stunned. He reached for his phone to call her. But what would he say? He texted her instead.
MEET ME AT THE SPOT.
After a moment, Maria could feel her phone vibrate in her pocket. She was sitting in her bedroom, playing with her dogs after their walk, while her fiancé was asleep in the bed behind her. She pulled her phone out of her pocket to check it. As soon as she read the text from Derek, she could feel her heart drop. Even through written text, she could sense the pain in him. Maria had taken Derek by surprise with the sudden news and it strained her that she had to. Why do the media have to be so quick on these things… she wondered as she tapped her finger against the side of her case, contemplating what to type in response.
I’LL SEE YOU IN FIFTEEN.
Maria clicked send and quickly but quietly took the leashes off her dogs and got ready to see Derek. What should she wear? She could tell even by the simple text messages he’d sent here that he wasn’t happy. To be fair, it wasn’t her fault. She hadn’t seen it coming either. Maria finally settled on the dress she knew Derek loved, quickly changed and got in her car.
As she arrived she looked out her window and saw Derek sitting on their favorite bench by the water. She took a deep breath as she got out of the car.
“Hey,” Derek said, only slightly acknowledging her presence as Maria sat down next to him. She was careful to keep a good distance between them which she thought was necessary given the circumstance.
“Hi.” She took a deep breath. “I’m sorry you found out like that.”
“I don’t really know what to say,” he replied, looking straight ahead.
She felt awful. He turned to look at her. “What happened?” he asked. “We were supposed to make it. I gave you so much time.”
“I know, I know. And that’s what I needed. I—”
“You, I, what? Moved on and didn’t let me go?”
He wasn’t making this any easier on her nor did he intend to.
Maria’s eyes fell from Derek to her lap. She played with her fingers nervously in her lap. “I don’t know what to say…” She murmured softly.
There was a silence between them that seemed to last forever. All that was heard were the waves crashing in front of them. Maria thought her words through carefully before deciding to continue.
“I really did fall for you, Derek… but even the amount of care I have for you isn’t enough to overtake the plans and future that have been implemented for me for years.”
“I thought we really had something, Maria,” Derek stated bluntly, keeping his eyes on the ocean in front of them. He could feel a sudden fire in his words even he himself wasn’t expecting.
“Derek, you have to understand. For ten years, my parents and career have been pressuring me to finally move onto the next step. My parents want children - they want me to settle down. All that I’ve done in my life have happened because of the past. The past that was built and solidified before you came… before you came and almost deviated me from who I am.”
“I could have given you the kids you wanted. I could have given you the career you wanted. I could have given you the life - the LOVE - you wanted, Maria!!!”
“It’s not about that. Kevin and I have been together for years. I had to give him a chance. I can’t just leave him. I owe it to him to stay.”
“Maria,” Derek breathed, trying to calm himself before completely exploding on her, “You owe it to yourself to have someone who truly loves you.”
“He does love me, Derek.”
“Then why? Why now? Why after 18 years has he suddenly decided you’re suitable to be engaged to?”
Maria finally made eye contact with him and her eyes pooled with tears.
“Why are you doing this?” Maria asked, her voice broken from emotion.
“Me? I’m not doing anything. I should have let you go a long time ago.” He looked back at her. “I should have given you an ultimatum. I actually let you string me along.”
He stood up. “I love you, Maria. Good luck.”
And with that he walked away.
She sat at their spot for a little while longer. She cried in her hands. Before she got up, she touched the carving in the bench. It read D&M.
Maria stared at their initials, sniffing, tears still continuing to roll down her cheeks. She walked close enough to the ocean so her toes were dipped in the water before sitting down. After a moment, she raised her hand and twisted the engagement ring on her finger, sighing and biting her lip, trying to hold herself from crying harder. There was a lump in her throat and her eyes were so filled with tears, her vision became blurry.
About fifteen minutes passed before Maria felt a tap on her shoulder.
She sniffed before responding, “Derek…?” Her eyes hadn’t left the ocean.
“Try again,” the voice behind her answered. The mystery person then sat beside her and placed a hand on Maria’s.
Maria finally took her eyes off the ocean and looked at the person beside her.
A small smile fell on Maria’s face for a brief second.
“Jules…”
To Maria’s surprise, Julianne Hough, Derek’s younger sister, was at her side. Julianne smiled softly at Maria, wrapping an arm around her in comfort. Julianne looked at her sadly for a moment before answering, “I was watching the interview Derek was in and I heard what happened. I had a feeling you’d be here… “ She paused before continuing, “…Why are you crying?”
Maria sighed, “Derek was here earlier… evidently, things didn’t go too well.”
Julianne raised her eyebrows at Maria’s statement. “Huh, he didn’t even tell me. He must have been too distraught. But babe, you shouldn’t be crying, you’re engaged, shouldn’t you be celebrating?”
“I should… but it doesn’t feel right. It doesn’t feel like it should.”
“And how should it feel?” Julianne asked.
“Good,” she responded. “I should feel happy and eager, and want to shout it from the rooftops.”
“But you don’t?”
Maria shook her head and started to cry again.
Julianne sighed. “Don’t cry, Mar.” She continued, “I’m sorry, I should have been a better friend and a better sister. I should have stopped you both from doing any of this.”
“It’s not your fault.” Maria instantly replied. “It’s mine.” They sat there in silence for a few minutes as Maria tried to gain composure.
“It’s my fault.” She finally managed to admit. “I’ve been with Kevin so long and I had no intentions on leaving but then I met Derek and everything I thought I knew was turned upside down. I fell in love with him. I wasn’t planning on it. It just happened. In the past when I thought about the future I envisioned my husband as Kevin—”
“What about now? Is it still him?” Julianne inquired.
Tears fell down Maria’s cheeks again as she shook her head no. Julianne hugged her and held her tight.
“Shhhh…hey? It’s okay.” She said attempting to comfort her. Maria finally pulled away. “It’s Derek.” She admitted. “I see a future with Derek. I was planning on a future with Derek. It’s been 18 years. I didn’t think Kevin was ever going to propose and then he did. I waited too long and now I can’t break his heart. As much as I thought Derek and I would be together. I can’t do that to Kevin.”
“But you can’t do that to yourself either,” Julianne replied, echoing her brother’s earlier words. “Sometimes it’s okay to be selfish.” She then pulled out her left hand, looking at the engagement ring on her finger. “Being engaged to someone you love is supposed to be exciting. It’s supposed to make you feel complete, as if you can conquer the world and fight against all the hurdles together. I never imagined being so happy until I met Brooks, and I can’t imagine not spending the rest of my life with him.” Julianne looked back at Maria and patted her hand. “True love makes you feel unstoppable, Maria. It shouldn’t make you feel like you’re powerless and have lost half of yourself.”
Maria didn’t know what to say in response. She simply sniffed and looked back at Julianne.
Julianne smiled sadly at Maria, wiping a tear away. “I hate seeing you like this. You’re like a sister to me, you know.”
Maria spent the next few days trying to understand what happened. Where exactly did she go wrong? She didn’t know. She thought she would give Derek a few days to think about things. She hoped he would still talk to her. That’s what she was thinking when she called him. She figured he wouldn’t answer, but it was worth a try.
“Hey, it’s me,” she said into the phone. “I know you probably don’t want to talk, but I think that we should. I don’t want to lose you and– well, just call me back.”
She left messages like that for the next two weeks.
After two weeks of contemplating she finally knew what she had to do. She ended things with Kevin and when she finally did she called Derek crying. He didn’t answer.
“D… please call me back. It’s important. Please?” She begged, sniffling into the phone before hanging up and laying face down on her bed. That’s when it happened. After weeks of trying her phone vibrated and when she looked she saw his name.
It simply read: “Are you okay?”
She paused for a moment. So thankful he had finally responded. That he still cared enough to respond then she typed back.
No. And I know you probably don’t want to see me but can you please meet me at our spot? It’s really important.
A moment passed before he replied and Maria felt as if it was the longest moment of her life.
Sure. I’ll leave right now.
On the way out the door, Maria passed by the living room where all of her dogs were. She half-smiled at them, noting how silent they have been since Kevin moved out. In fact, her whole house had been quiet as well as the atmosphere at AfterBuzz TV. The ending of her 18-year relationship had evidently taken Maria’s parents, dogs, and coworkers by surprise. Maria wasn’t sure if the silence derived from the shock or pitiness of the situation. Probably both.
It’s okay to be selfish sometimes.
Julianne’s words reassured Maria as she hugged her dogs goodbye and found confidence to get into her car and drive to the beach.
—–
Maria parked her car and walked to their spot. Everything was quiet except for the waves, the thoughts in her mind, and the sound of her flip-flops slapping against her feet.
Maria found a man sitting in the same exact spot she had been sitting in what felt like forever ago.
“Derek,” she called out, walking closer to him. It seemed to take him a moment before realizing her presence.
Derek turned his head and saw Maria behind him. She sat beside him and immediately Derek could feel his heart beat harder - somehow, after all these years, Maria still gave him butterflies.
Just like what had happened weeks ago, the longest silence crept its way between them.
“You didn’t have to end things with him.”
Maria looked up at Derek, surprised.
“I just want you to be happy,” Derek assured, looking back at Maria.
Maria looked into his eyes for a moment before smiling softly. “I am happy, Derek. For the first time in weeks, I am happy.” Derek gave her a look of confusion. “You not answering my calls or texts and me knowing that I caused the person who means more to me than anyone else I know such enormous pain, filled me with utter sadness and I felt lost. You’re such an amazing man, Derek, and any woman who would dare break your heart is an absolute idiot.” Maria paused and then sighed, looking down at the sand between them. “I have been an absolute idiot.”
“Maria, you’re not an idiot-”
“Derek, please let me continue,” Maria interrupted. “You deserve someone who loves you entirely and who you can give your entire heart to without anything coming in the way of it. I’m sorry you felt like I led you on or that after all those years, our relationship was doomed for failure. I’m sorry I couldn’t take the leap of faith with you… until now.”
Maria looked down and then back into Derek’s eyes. “Derek, I know I have not given you my entire heart, but after all this time and after a talk with who may be my fairy godmother,” Derek squinted his eyes in confusion, “I’ve finally realized that I don’t want to spend my life with someone unless that someone is you. You make me feel excited to wake up in the morning, you make me feel powerful when the rest of the world seems to be falling apart, and you make me a better person and remind me of the most important things in life. Leaving Kevin was the best choice I have ever made and meeting you was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.” Maria smiled and placed her hand on Derek’s. “I’m ready to give you my whole heart if you’re willing to accept mine…and the craziness that comes along with it.”
Derek couldn’t help but smile back at Maria. He brushed a hair behind her ear, kissing her forehead. “You know I accepted your craziness the day you walked into my life, right?”
Maria chuckled and shrugged in response.
However, after a moment of looking into each other’s eyes, Derek forced himself to look back at the ocean. An hour had passed and the sunset had come into view.
“Still… I’ve waited too long,” Derek stated after a few minutes. “I’m too scared of what could happen after tonight, and I don’t know if I can put myself through that again…”
“What? Der…” Maria murmured softly in response.
After a second, without another word, Derek pushed himself up and began walking away.
“Derek, wait!” Maria turned and yelled back at him.
It took Derek a moment to acknowledge her words before he stopped in place and called back, “I hope you’re ready for my craziness, babe.”
Maria sniffed, confused.
Derek turned around, smirking. He spread his arms out, “Never in a million years would I say no to a woman as amazing as you.”
Tears started falling down Maria’s face, but unlike before, they were tears of happiness. Maria ran into Derek’s arms, and instantly Derek wrapped his arms tightly around his woman, letting her tears fall onto the back of his shirt. He held her securely in his arms, before pulling away just enough to kiss her on her forehead.
Maria smiled softly, “I couldn’t be more in love with you…”
“Right back at you, babe.”
——–
A week later, Derek and Maria decided to hold a dinner party at Derek’s apartment. They had invited Mark, Brittany, Julianne, Brooks, and Maria’s parents. When Maria had told Derek that she had wanted to invite her parents and announce to them that they were officially together, Derek worried that it was too soon; however, Maria reassured Derek that, unlike with Kevin, Maria’s parents had immediately loved and accepted Derek into the family from the first day they had met him.
Julianne, Mark, and their fiance/fiancee were sitting in the living room playing with Derek’s dog, Romy, as the others were still chatting at the dining table. That was until Julianne accidentally threw Romy’s ball too far and was too late to retrieve it before the dog came running for it.
“Careful, Romy!!” Julianne called at the dog as she chased him into Derek’s room.
When they got in the bedroom, Julianne took the ball away from Romy, relieved he hadn’t destroyed anything. Although he hadn’t, he had somehow managed to bump against a chest and open it.
While closing the chest, Julianne couldn’t help but find a small velvet box inside. She picked it up in front of her and opened it carefully. Inside was a beautiful engagement ring that had been passed down the family for generations.
Julianne immediately smiled, choked up by the item. “I can’t believe it…” she whispered to herself. She looked down at her brother’s dog and petted him gently, “It won’t be too long, huh boy?”
13 notes
·
View notes
Note
Menough: How many Children? Children Ages? Children Names? Simply or extravagant wedding? Wedding Color Scheme? Maid of honor? Bridesmaids? Best man? Best men? Their song(s)? Who takes care of the children? Who cooks? Who does yard-work? Who does laundry? Where do the live? Any other homes? Pool? Vacationing spot(s)? Childrens gender? Public, private, or homeschool? Children Hair and eye color? Children activities? (Like dance or something) Sorry to bother you with so much hahahaha!!
How many Children? Two/three
Children Ages? 1-3 years apart
Children Names? Addison Anne Hough, Sophie Rose Hough. If they did have a son, his name would be Bruce Alexander Hough (he would go by Alex), after Derek’s father and best friend.
Simply or extravagant wedding? Extravagant, in a luxurious, dark indoor venue
Wedding Color Scheme? White and lilac
Maid of honor? Julianne, duh
Bridesmaids? All of Derek’s sisters and Maria’s best friend Rachel Zalis
Best man? Mark Ballas
Best men? Mark, Henry, Tony Robbins
Their song(s)? “A Thousand Years” by Christina Perri
Who takes care of the children? They do; Julianne and Mark help from time to time
Who cooks? They take turns
Who does yard-work? Derek
Who does laundry? Maria
Where do they live? Los Angeles, by the DWTS studio, in a nice house
Any other homes? One in NYC and Greece
Pool? Yes! And a jacuzzi
Vacationing spot(s)? New York, Vegas, Greece, London
Children’s gender? Two girls, possibly a son
Public, private, or home school? Private. Their kids get a good education and are intelligent
Children Hair and eye color? Brown hair, blue eyes or blonde hair, blue eyes (Hough genes seem incredibly dominant)
Children activities? They’re Houghs, so they’re good at everything.
When they’re little: Addison is the older sister and is always energetic and friendly. She loves talking to everyone of all ages and is really playful. Sophie is the adorable innocent one. She is shy and well behaved, but also secretly smart. If they have a son, Alex would be the oldest and he takes good care of his sisters. He watches from behind as his parents take care of his younger sisters, but doesn’t complain about sometimes being left behind. Still, both Maria and Derek make sure to spend a good amount of time with him, especially Derek. Derek and Alex, being the two males of the household, often bond with each other.
In high school: Addison is really smiley, studious, and a leader. She’s in class council and loves spending time with her friends and family. Sophie, younger, is more gentle and sweet and lets her older sister take control. She loves animals, art, and photography. Alex is athletic and a complete gentleman. He plays basketball and strums guitar and sings in his band. All three of them are talented in theatre and music; they can all dance, but Addison especially likes joining in all the dance competitions.
2 notes
·
View notes
Text
I'm not gonna lie but if it weren't for Maria and Derek I would've never started watching DWTS
I saw a video of them dancing the rumba on my friends Facebook and you could automatically see the chemistry and I was automatically hooked.I watched every season of DWTS after their season and I continued to watch til this day
8 notes
·
View notes
Text
“She didn’t believe in magic”
A writing prompt drabble.
Rated: PG
Please don’t post on external sites!
It had been 3 months since she last saw him. She often thought about calling him up and picking up where they left off, but she knew it would be no use. He made it abundantly clear that he never wanted to be “that guy,” yet that is exactly what happened-- for a little while anyway. As she sat on the bench that they once called their own she wondered if she had made a mistake. As she sat there lost in this thought, a Frisbee landed at her feet.
“Sorry about that,” a voice shouted before running over to her. “Oh, wow,” the teen girl in front of her exclaimed, “you’re Maria!”
“Hi,” Maria responded, trying to sound cheerful.
“It’s so crazy running into you like this!” How are you--” the teen girl gasped, “do you still talk to Derek?”
Maria forced a smile. “We talk sometimes.”
“Wow, really? You two were so great together-- watching you was like magic!”
“Come ON, Allison!” an agitated voice yelled from behind her.
“Sorry, I gotta go finish playing before my cousin kills me. It was nice to meet you!” she yelled while running away. Magic. She didn’t believe I magic. Not when it came to anything-- especially love. Love was something created and worked for. There was no such thing as love at first sight, no such thing as a spark. What she and Derek had? That was pure desire. And desire was a dangerous thing.
2 notes
·
View notes
Text
Engineer fulfilled water and <b>sewer</b> needs in Alaska
Jon Menough, who is Grand Island's wastewater plant engineer, accumulated some interesting tales in Alaska, where he lived for 14 years.
from Google Alert - sewage system https://www.google.com/url?rct=j&sa=t&url=https://www.theindependent.com/news/local/engineer-fulfilled-water-and-sewer-needs-in-alaska/article_29a7b982-6a2a-11e9-850a-a3710e60b4a5.html&ct=ga&cd=CAIyGjBmYTExMmY5ODc5OTYxMmI6Y29tOmVuOlVT&usg=AFQjCNFIX_wKQ2S3Oaw_p3BI-rUjZoUvBw
0 notes
Text
Hey Menough Shippers!!!
Although I am an extremely hardcore Purdyhough shipper, I absolutely LOVE Derek and Maria's friendship and think they're adorable. So I just wanted to let you guys know that I've recently found a song that I thought would be great for the Menough ship, if you like to listen to music that reminds you of them or make fan vids and stuff. It's called "Dear Maria, Count Me In" by All Time Low. It's not exactly a "new" song, but I've recently come across it and all I can think of is them when I hear it lol. Also, I know there's been a little war between our two ships recently, which I don't understand AT ALL because ships are supposed to be about the LOVE and APPRECIATION of two people who you think would be HAPPY together, and absolutely NO hate or hurtfulness or meanness or rudeness WHATSOEVER should be brought into the sport of shipping, but I guess some people (I'm not just directing this to your ship or my ship, it happens in almost every ship out there) just like to get competitive about their ship and like to ruin it for everyone else 😒 . Anyways, I just wanted to let you TRUE shippers out there know that I'm sorry about the little dispute between these two ships, and that the Derek Hough fandom is an OCEAN and big enough to let ALL the ships sail peacefully!!!
10 notes
·
View notes
Text
The One at the Bar with Julianne
Disclaimer: This is a co-write between menough, sadbeautifultragic-loveaffair & shewillberaynaclaybourne. This went so many different directions than expected, enjoy!
It was in the way they smiled when they were together, brightening up a room. It was in the way they looked at each other as if they were each other's first love. It was in the way they were always absorbed in each other as if they were the only two in the room. As a younger sister, seeing her brother so engrossed in a relationship was inspirational, especially when the woman was one of her best friends. Knowing their intense relationship had to be hidden, she just had to do something about it.
“Hey, Maria, over here!"
Maria walked over to Julianne's table. She was wearing black leather pants and a white blouse. They hugged and sat down. She ordered a Bud Light while Julianne sipped on red wine.
“Sorry I kept you waiting so long. Derek wouldn’t let me leave.” Maria apologized.
“Ummm hmmm...” Julianne replied knowingly.
“Shut up, it wasn’t like that!“ Maria replied laughing at the accusation.
“It’s always like that with the two of you.” Julianne said.
Maria rolled her eyes in response. Tapping her finger on her drink, she looked around the bar.
"Is anyone else coming or is it just us two?" She questioned, realizing that it was only her and Julianne at the table.
Julianne hid back her sly smile. "Nope, just us two," she answered.
Maria narrowed her eyes, knowing full well that Julianne was up to something. She decided to ignore it, however, wanting to instead enjoy her time with her friend. They laughed, drank, and shared stories about Brooks and Derek until suddenly the bar door opened. Maria's eyes widened, "Julianne, you didn't..."
Derek walked through the door. He wore dark jeans and a plaid shirt. He walked over to their table.
"Hello ladies," he said with a smirk. His gaze caught Maria's and she could feel her heart beating faster. He sat next to her and kissed her on her cheek.
"Did they start yet?" he asked excitedly.
"Not yet," Julianne replied with a giant smile on her face.
"What," Maria asked, "why are you smiling like that?"
Julianne talked through her teeth, "I signed you guys up."
"To sing?"
"Yes."
"Oh my goodness, Jules!" Maria exclaimed. "I'm so not good at singing!"
"You don't have to be good," Julianne cooed and signed to the waiter.
"You just have to do it."
A few minutes later the waiters came with a round of drinks.
"I ordered you two long island iced teas, and this shot."
"Shot of what?" Derek asked.
"Anything."
The lights started to go dim.
"Oh, they're starting!" Julianne declared.
Derek and Maria shot each other a look as the couple on stage started singing.
It was the song. The song that Derek sang on his tour. The one aimed at her even though he never said anything. He didn’t need to. She knew. And he knew she knew. It was the one that made her feel things every time she heard it. The message she knew she should listen to but never did.
“Say something.” “I'm giving up on you.” “I'll be the one.” “If you want me to.”
The couple sang, each one singing every other line, perfectly in tune to one another.
They listened intently, shooting each other the occasional glance as the couple’s voices radiated through the bar. The song ended and they all clapped. Derek and Maria stood up giving a standing ovation.
“Tough act to follow.” Julianne quipped smiling at them as they took their seats.
“Shut up.” Maria said laughing nervously.
“We got this.” Derek assured Julianne, gripping Maria’s leg under the table. She looked at him and smiled.
“Next up is... Maria and Derek.” The announcer proclaimed.
Maria took a deep breath looking at Derek unsure, picking up and downing the rest of her drink before they got up and headed toward the stage. She was going to need all the help she could get.
Derek held Maria's hand in his, guiding her up the stage with him following close behind. Once they got situated, Derek looked over at Maria. Immediately noticing her nervousness, he gave her an encouraging smile and a small wink. Her sudden anxiety was very different from her normal confident self, which oddly enough made her even more adorable.
"Ready?" He whispered softly to her as the worker handed them their microphones.
Maria forced a smile as she gripped the microphone in her hand and took a deep breath. She gave a slight nod and was about to say something else until suddenly the music started. Maria instantly recognized the intro, her eyes widening as even more nervousness stirred up in her. She looked toward Derek to see his reaction. At first he looked alarmed but it soon eased into his normal calmness. The screen popped up with the first lyric. Maria gulped.
"Heart beats fast, colors and promises.
How to be..." Maria paused, the word getting caught in her throat. "...brave..." She found herself pausing again, staring at the lyric in disbelief. She knew the song. Just like the last, she knew it by heart. But it was just too... familiar. And relative.
Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a voice beside her. "Babe," Derek coaxed in a whisper.
"How can I love..when I'm afraid to fall..?" Maria took another breath. "But watching you stand alone," she continued, the comfort of being beside Derek relaxing her, "my doubt suddenly goes away somehow."
“One step closer…” they sang in unison. He whispered in her ear, “look at me.”
And she did. She looked at him and it was like no one else was in the room.
“Darling don’t be afraid,” Derek sang.
“I have loved you,” she gazed into his eyes, “For a thousand years.”
“I’ll love you for a thousand more.”
While Derek carried on his solo, Maria took a large sip of her drink. She could definitely feel the buzz now. They got closer to each other and as the song ended, their eyes never left each other. Julianne was the first to give a standing ovation. She clapped and yelled, which took Maria and Derek out of their trance. He pulled her in by her waist and hugged her.
"Thank you guys!" the announcer said as they walked hand-in-hand off the stage.
"Oh my goodness, that was great!" Julianne exclaimed as they all sat back at the table.
Maria laughed. "Thanks."
Derek set his hand on her thigh. He looked at her with his glossy blue eyes. He smiled, and with that, she couldn't help herself. He is so cute, she thought.
She was overwhelmed. Absolutely a thousand percent done with pretending, with everything and she kissed him to prove it. He kissed her back and pulled away quickly. Julianne looked at them in shock. “This is a public place and the two of you aren’t. What are you doing?” She asked wide eyed.
Derek just laughed as he downed another shot, clearly enjoying whatever had gotten into Maria.
“I’m done. I’m done with whatever we’re suppose to be. We’re more than that.” She explained looking at Derek lovingly. He felt it too. It was time for change. Maybe it was the alcohol, maybe it was the song, maybe it was just time. She didn’t know but she just no longer cared.
Derek, quickly feeling the after-effects of his own drinks, soon became lost in Maria. They gazed into each other's eyes, a small grin on both of their faces. Maria bit her lip and Derek was leaning in just as Julianne pushed them apart.
"No, you-" she urged her brother, grabbing his hand. "And you," she urged the intoxicated brunette, grabbing her hand. "Follow," she directed, both her hands pulling the crazy pair to the back darkened corner.
There was a corner bar, and Julianne sat the two of them beside her. Knowing far too well how quickly the tabloids spill rumors about developing romances, she couldn't let this happen to her brother and best friend, regardless of how long ago their justifiable title should have been claimed. And knowing how delirious they are when they down one too many drinks, she knew she was in for a rough night. Julianne looked down at the bar counter in front of her, suddenly realizing that Derek and Maria's hands were lying flat on it, their hands intertwined.
"Oh, for heaven's sake," Julianne moaned, rolling her eyes and chugging down another drink.
"Guys, stop," she said, trying to pull their hands apart.
"Maria, can I see you in the restroom, please?"
Maria just smiled ear-to-ear and took another drink.
"Maria, now!" She held her hand and walked her to the restroom. Inside, Julianne pleaded with her. "What are you doing? You can't do that with everyone around to see!"
"I just... want him. He's so beautiful. I just..." Maria paused for much too long. "Want. him."
Julianne rolled her eyes and wondered what she got herself into.
"You can't, Mar. Not here and now. Do you want me to call you two a cab?"
"No, it's too early. I'll be good... but I don't know how good he'll be. He's a--"
"STOP!" Julianne exclaimed "I don't need to hear that." Just then, the announcer said her name. She sighed. "Come on."
They walked back to the bar.
"Julianne, it's your turn," the announcer said again.
"Derek! What did you do?"
"It's your turn!" Derek repeated what the announcer said.
Maria sat next to him and put her head on his shoulder.
“There’s no way in hell I’m leaving two of you alone.” Julianne snapped at him. She wasn’t going to let them do this. Ruin their reputations like that. The announcer said her name again.
“Ju-li-anne, Ju-li-anne.” Derek, Maria and the rest of the bar began to chant.
Julianne shot Maria a look and smacked her brother. Derek laughed.
“The crowd’s waiting.” He said so innocently. She knew he was right but she still wasn’t happy about it. She glared at him as she walked up to the stage.
“Julianne, everyone!” The announcer said motioning to her and she smiled out into the audience her eyes not moving from Derek and Maria. Derek thought he was sly but she was going to watch them regardless. The music began and her eyes widened.
He. Did. Fucking. Not.
He did. And there wasn’t any backing down now. He was so dead when the song was over, she thought as the song started. She blushed while the intro rap played and she did the interjections.
“Are you ready?...Let’s dance..Oh, baby...”
The main part of the song started and she shot Derek a look of absolute despise as she sang.
“I know you like me. I know you do. That's why whenever I come around. She's all over you
I know you want it. It's easy to see and in the back of your mind I know you should be on with me.” Julianne sang regretting the words as they came out. She looked away from her brother and Maria as she felt another guy’s stare from across the room. He was hot and she shook the thought from her mind knowing it was the alcohol.
There wasn’t any going back might as well make the most of it, she thought as she gave it her all singing, “Don't cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me? Don't cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me? Don't cha? Don't cha?”
Realizing she was probably making an inappropriate amount of eye contact with the guy for someone with a boyfriend, her eyes shifted back to Derek and Maria.
As soon as the song was over, Julianne listened to the applause and the announcer thank her for "finally" coming up on stage, to which she faked a smile at. She then carefully walked down the stage. Finding the hot guy from earlier waiting for her, she shook her head. Interrupting him from whatever he was about to say, she told him, "Sorry, I have a boyfriend," hardly acknowledging him and hurrying off to the corner where she had left Maria and Derek. When she got there, however, her eyebrows narrowed.
"You have got to be fucking kidding me." She grabbed the empty bottles from the counter and slammed them into the trash can. "Where the hell did you guys go?!"
She grabbed her phone and dialed Derek's number, then Maria's. Neither answered.
"Did you see where they went?" she asked the bartender impatiently.
"I cut them off," the bartender replied as he wiped down the bar. "They went upstairs."
Upstairs, there were couches and chairs in rows overlooking the balcony. She scanned the room for them and saw a crowd. She dialed his number and heard it ringing in the corner. There she saw them; Maria sat on Derek's lap and they were making out. People were watching. Everywhere. Julianne felt her stomach drop. What could she do? She didn't want to make a scene, they were already doing that for themselves.
“Twenty bucks Derek Hough and that girl do it over there.” A guy said to Julianne as she pushed her way through to them. Julianne looked at him disgusted. There was just so many things wrong with that sentence.
“Forty bucks says we never let anyone know about this.” She said raising him and taking money out of her bra. The guy look surprised.
“Seriously this does not leave this place. No magazines. No media. You understand me?” Julianne asked taking on a serious tone.
“Yes ma’am. No media. No nothing.” The guy agreed.
“Here. Glad we understand each other.” She said handing him the money.
“Thanks ma’am, you’re the realest.” The guy said and went downstairs probably for more drinks as she pushed through more people.
Luckily, Julianne caught Maria and Derek just as Derek had been lifting up Maria's top. Julianne pulled her top back down, pulling them apart again. She turned around to face the crowd of people, waving her arms.
"What are you looking at?" She freaked, infuriated. "GET OUT. NOW!" She screamed, to which everyone surprisingly followed.
When everyone was gone, she made sure the door was shut before trying to get her thoughts straight.
"How could you guys let this happen???" She yelled furiously, more to herself than the crazed duo. Knowing nothing she did could be of any use, she took a deep breath and readjusted herself. After a moment, she looked at Maria and Derek who were looking blankly at her.
"You guys," she sighed, "Let's go home."
She handed them each a bottle of water. They stood outside in the cold while they waited for the cab to take them home. It was Julianne's attempt to sober them up a bit. Derek and Maria sat on the curb with the look of disappointment on their face.
"I'm not going to lecture you. You two are grown adults. You'll do what you want. But you're acting like teenagers, and quite frankly you need to find your chill."
“This is going to be all over the front page of all the media outlets tomorrow: ‘Derek Hough and Maria Menounos almost fuck in bar sister, Julianne stops them’. I can see it now. This is a disaster.” Julianne said running her hands through her hair in defeat.
“And Derek you are going to pay for choosing that song, seriously what were you thinking? You weren’t thinking. No thinking has taken place here tonight. Not on your part, not on mine. I should have never invited you Derek.” She said shaking her head at him noticing he was looking past her at Maria.
“You two are disgusting.” She said almost laughing at how horribly wrong this night went.
“We weren’t the drunk Jules.” Maria attempted to say, fumbling even that short of a sentence.
“We knew ecstatically what we where doing.” Derek slurred.
That was it. Julianne burst out laughing. They were so gone.
“You guys are a mess. You know that? Actually you probably don’t know anything I’m saying nor will you remember it tomorrow but oh well.” Julianne rambled.
“Derek you are going back to your house and you are staying with me.” She told Maria.
“There’s not going to be any babies resulting from this and we all know that’s the direction this is going to go if I let the two of you go home together.” Julianne instructed as the cab pulled up and she helped both of them up stumbling to the cab. Maria attempted crawling in next to Derek.
“Nope I don’t know where you think you’re going but that isn’t happening.” Julianne told her as she sat in the middle of them.
Julianne first instructed the driver to go to Derek's and then her house. Maria was passed out by the time they dropped off Derek, leading her to lean her head on Julianne's shoulder. Julianne smiled at how cute and innocent Maria looked asleep. She stroked her hair as the driver drove them to her place.
"...But..." Julianne suddenly heard Maria sleep talk, "...I love him..."
Julianne's eyebrows rose just as the taxi stopped. She took out her purse and handed the driver cash, "Keep the change," she told him. Julianne then zipped up her purse and let her out of the taxi first. She gently shook Maria just enough for her to wake up. She secured Maria's arm around her neck, helping her to her door. Julianne unlocked the door to her house, got in, and led her to the guest room. She then helped her into bed, placed a trash can next to her just in case she got sick, and then cuddled her up in blankets. Julianne made sure she was comfortably in bed before going over to the door and switching off the light. She was about to close the door behind her when she heard...
"Julianne...?"
Julianne looked back at Maria. "Yes?"
"Thaaaank youuuuuu..." Maria finished, a second before falling into a slumber.
Julianne smiled, "Goodnight, Maria."
------
The next morning, Maria awoke to the sound of the doorbell. She rubbed the temples of her forehead, the sound aching throughout her body. "Where...." She murmured as she forced her eyes open. "Why..." She questioned, the pain ringing in her head.
Julianne opened the door to her room, cautiously keeping her voice soft, "You have a visitor," she told Maria.
Maria sluggishly got out of bed, still lost in what was going on. It took her a couple minutes, but she made it out of bed. Walking to the front door, her feet dragging behind her, she opened it to find Derek standing there.
Derek examined her head to toe, apologetic even though he didn't completely know why. "Mar..." He started, letting his voice trail.
"Derek..?" Maria answered, struggling to keep her eyes open.
"Last night..."
"What?" Maria wondered, "Did something happen?"
"We..." Derek squinted, leaning his hand against the door, "Were together..?"
"We were?"
"I don't remember much, but I do remember one thing..."
From the back, Julianne was walking from her living room to her kitchen, but stopped midway once she found Maria and Derek at her front door. She couldn't help herself. She hid behind a corner, listening in on their conversation.
Maria winced, "Yes?" She asked simply, looking down at Derek's outfit, which was the same as the night before. Sudden flashbacks flew through her mind. She blinked. "What is it..?"
Derek looked down and then back up at her. He walked closer to Maria, closing the door behind him. "Do you... Do you remember when you told me that we should be more than what we currently are? That we're better than that?"
Maria blinked again, surprised. "Actually," she murmured, looking deeply into his eyes, "I do."
Derek looked back at her, moving a strand of her hair behind her ear. "And?"
"And..." Maria continued, looking from his lips back into his eyes, "And it was true. We deserve much more. I mean, I do... I do, I love you."
Derek smiled, moving his body towards Maria's and laying his lips on hers. "I love you too."
As the kiss built in passion, there was a sudden crash in the background. Maria and Derek's ears rang in annoyance, turning their attention to the back.
"Oh crap, sorry!" Julianne gasped, covering her mouth in shock. She then hurried away, a helpless grin on her face.
Mission accomplished.
11 notes
·
View notes
Text
Re-Accepting Fanfic Requests!
So, I have been in a writing mood lately and would love to spill my shipping emotions and heartbreak out in work. I would love to see my inbox fill up with requests! :)
List of Written Works: (x)
Currently Writing...
● Menough (Maria Menounos & Derek Hough)
● PurdyHough (Amy Purdy & Derek Hough)
● MaksErin (Erin Andrews & Maksim Chmerkovskiy)
● Kanenball (Chelsea Kane & Mark Ballas)
● **Rallison (Riker Lynch & Allison Holker)
● HoughKin (Nastia Liukin & Derek Hough)
etc. I’ll basically write anything as long as I don’t NOTP it. Also, if anyone has any Rallison fanfiction, please send links my way! Thank you. :)
**I am attached to Rallison at the moment, so I would deeply enjoy any and all requests for that pair. Actually the main pair I am opening this up for.
Anyway, yes, REQUESTS ARE OPEN! (:
#rallison#menough#marsea#kanenball#purdyhough#houghkin#makserin#dancing with the stars#riker lynch#allison holker#dwts#maria menounos#derek hough#amy purdy#nastia liukin#maksim chmerkovskiy#erin andrews
11 notes
·
View notes
Text
Come on now...
Okay Menough shippers, I was liking y'all and everything because we've never had any conflicts. But don't go saying that we are delusion or make too many assumptions. It doesn't matter what ship you are in, if something like almost kissing or actually kissing happens, your gonna go crazy and be happy. Don't go saying things like that. We haven't photoshopped them in each other's photos once nor have we made them an expectant couple with Photoshop... Things like Derek saying "I love you to death, babe" and Derek mentioning that this season has been the most fulfilling ever are all true. Amy did call Derek during a video interview. Amy has seen Derek's tour twice and Derek has brought her on stage and ran to hug her then the next day went to dinner party together. Derek did send her a sweet good morning text. Amy has been talking a lot about love lately. We are going off facts, not just assumptions. I'm not trying to be rude. We have never called y'all delusional so please don't call us that.
23 notes
·
View notes
Last Seen Blogs
dominiczdan
dominic
saturdaysintheswamp
Saturdays In The Swamp
hyuckmie
ning n hyuck
swaggy-anxious-artist
daddy v
chateaudevarak
Château de Varak